8.24.2023

AFROPUNK Returns to Brooklyn This Weekend With AFROPUNK BROOKLYN 2023, Headlined by Flying Lotus & Teyana Taylor

Complete With Local Vendors, Brooklyn Bites, and an Array of Talented DJs and Hosts, AFROPUNK Arrives at Greenpoint Terminal Market This Weekend, August 26-27

The Announcement:

=August 24, 2023, NEW YORK – For nearly 20 years, AFROPUNK has been Brooklyn’s community festival, welcoming fans of all kinds to witness the vanguard of Black music and culture. This weekend, August 26th and 27th, AFROPUNK BROOKLYN returns, debuting at a new venue, Greenpoint Terminal Market, but keeping that same energy. This year’s Brooklyn event will introduce a new theme–CIRCUS OF SOUL–transforming the riverside blacktop into a carnivalesque exhibition that spotlights all aspects of Black creativity, soundtracked by music that speaks to the heart of the Black experience.

The first AFROPUNK Brooklyn at Greenpoint Terminal Market promises to be a picturesque and celebratory affair. Before Flying Lotus closes the evening with his cosmic jazz on Saturday night, the first day of AP BK 2023 brings a hip-hop heavy slate–as the genre continues to celebrate its 50th birthday–with performances from stars like Vince StaplesToby Nwigwe, and NYC rap icons Beatnuts, plus performances from acclaimed jazz singer Madison McFerrin, R&B riser Durand Bernarr, and many more. On Sunday, the one-and-only Teyana Taylor graces the stage, following Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$, plus a murderer’s row of talented individuals including Baby TateSudan ArchivesDreamer Isioma, South African amapiano artist DBN Gogo, and more. Each day will start with music from local, Black-led punk bands, including The RackWinter Wolf, and Uniity.

Between sets, AFROPUNK welcomes local DJs, DJ Mahogany and DJ SNS to keep the energy going.

Located on the banks of the East River, with unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline, Greenpoint Terminal Market provides a picturesque location for the performances and trademark AFROPUNK activations, including the Spinthrift Market and AFROPUNK’s Bites ‘n Beats. Below, view the full list of local vendors and eateries that will help make this weekend special.

On Friday, August 25, AFROPUNK is doing a full-day takeover of the Irregular Hours Career Center. The takeover will include cereal breakfasts with experts from across the arts, community-organizing and fashion, free headshots with a makeup artist, brands and a stylist on hand to get fans photo-ready, and cocktails and new friends at Hours After Hours, with sounds from DJ Huggy Bear. View the flyer and full schedule HERE.

Experience the captivating R.I.P HUMAN ART: An Interactive Art Exhibit by EARTHGANG and AFROPUNK, on August 25th, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET at The Standard, High Line Hotel in NYC’s vibrant Meatpacking district. Immerse yourself in a unique art show featuring fresh perspectives on classical art, accompanied by the rhythms of a DJ’s tunes. Engage in enlightening discussions, including an 8:00 PM ET panel conversation with featured artists and photographers, and a fireside chat with EARTHGANG moderated by Malaika Jabali, News & Political Editor at Essence Communications, Inc. You’ll also get an exclusive sneak peek into EARTHGANG’s upcoming album! Be part of this movement that stands at the crossroads of innovation and tradition, celebrating the essence of artistry and individualism.


To purchase 2-day and single-day tickets for this year’s event, please visit: here.

AFROPUNK BROOKLYN 2023 is sponsored by As I Am, AT&T, Fiesta Charra Blanco Tequila,
L’Oreal Paris Stands Up Against Street Harassment, Lush Cosmetics, McDonald’s, Penguin Random House’s All Ways Black, Prose, Shinju Japanese Whisky, Tasmanian Tiger Vodka and the Waverly Street Foundation.

View even more information HERE

Festival hours: 12pm (doors) – 10pm

SPINTHRIFT MARKET VENDORS:

Calabar Arts: Calabar Gallery represents underserved artists locally & globally. Calabar features artists and art projects that instigate dialogue, build communities, bolster local and global economies and further social innovation.
K. Milele: K. Milele is a celebration of all of its founder Kiki’s gifts, passions, and the embodiment of her expressions.
T-Nashh: Timothy Nashh Collection is an e-commerce driven apparel company headquartered in New York that designs, manufactures, and sells ready-to-wear for men and the non binary community, focusing on comfortable, unique, luxury wear garments

BITES ‘N BEATS VENDORS:

Creole Soul: offering seafood gumbo, crab cake sandwiches, shrimp po boys and more
The Southern Comfort: offering shrimp & grits, cajun fried catfish, codfish fritters, fried chicken & sweet potato waffles, and tomato, and more
The Caribbean King: offering rice bowls, jerk chicken, oxtail, and more
The Republic Bar & Grill: offering Ghana jollof with various toppings
TryVegan: offering vegan wraps and agave lemonade
Butchery & Beyond: offering BBQ ribs, brisket-loaded fries, cajun pulled pork & more
Empire BBQ: offering spicy chorizo, crispy chicken sandwiches and more
Mac Truck: offering classic mac & cheese, bacon mac, cheeseburger mac and other fun flavors
Bushwick Grind: offering spiky ackee & jackfruit, cinnamon-baked apples, banana nutella, and more
Cajou: offering handcrafted cashew milk ice cream in various culturally curious flavors
Dre’s Ice Cream: offering real fruit water ice in flavors like mango, passion fruit, strawberry lemonade, and more

IRREGULAR HOURS TAKEOVER:

CLUB LUSH ACTIVATION:

R.I.P HUMAN ART EVENT: 

Contact:

PR@essence.com, Essence Ventures PR Department
Michelle McDevitt, Audible Treats
Annjie Houston, Audible Treats
Destiny Riley, Audible Treat

The Background:

About AFROPUNK:
AFROPUNK IS THE MICROPHONE OF THOUGHT AND A LENS OF PERSPECTIVE

AFROPUNK is an integrated media platform and global music festival platform giving voice to the unwritten, unwelcome and unseen. AFROPUNK is redefining the modern multicultural experience through its mission to unleash freedom of expression and to honor the power of individuality while strengthening our community. AFROPUNK creates an anchor for its growing audience of multicultural youth through its annual music festival and other events (in Brooklyn, Miami, Minneapolis, and more) with past events in Paris, London, Atlanta, and Johannesburg), while continually enhancing engagement and promoting conversation through content, commerce, and community.

AFROPUNK is devoted to creating safe spaces for the expression of Black liberation and a Black Future where we love ourselves and each other without preconception. The AFROPUNK tenets serve as a North Star and remind people to check themselves, ego and each other when we enter the shared spaces.

official site | instagram | twitter | facebook | youtube

END